June Cravings as the World Changes and Heals

It tastes of salt
gazing at clouds that sway into familiar shapes
From a childhood sprawled on grass
With ants crawling up tanned, play-streaked arms

Seeing oceans
And independent walks across unknown lands  
Those dreams imprinted on prickly blades
Under sky-high trees honoring
Summer’s first restless chorus 

June 

Change, Hope, and Healing

This summer is not like any other I’ve experienced. A global pandemic has torn back the curtain on another global disease — racism. Tragedy has led to awareness. Awareness has led to activism. Activism paves the way for openness to reform, education, and healing.

As some of us participate on social media, through donations, reading, or marching on the streets and raising our voices, we are bearing witness to a much-needed conversation and shift towards change.

June Recipe Testing

Much of my time in June, in between news-watching, has been spent in the kitchen, baking up my cravings, tiptoeing into and then becoming covered in flour as I recipe test.

Two highlights have been creating this cherry blueberry almond cake and these raspberry-filled donuts. I received a large delivery of plump, dark cherries glossy and bursting with sweetness. After munching on eight, I decided to reserve some to recreate the recipe in Mimi Thorisson’s French Country Cooking. I added blueberries and left out the slivered almonds (absent from my pantry reserve), but I compensated with a fervent shimmer of powdered sugar.

I enjoyed proofing the doughnuts and dipping the spheres into bubbling oil. Assumption of risk is key to recipe testing, and I was disappointed by the recipe I found online. Still, it was a homemade doughnut nibbled on late at night. And it was filled to the brim with a thick raspberry confiture. And it was hot and golden.

But, my doughnut craving has not yet been satiated. Do you have a favorite recipe for me to try next?

And, of course, there is my foray into sourdough bread to share. I was late to joining the game, but I am glad I did. I named the starter Artemis, for her resilience, and I’ll write about my favorite, shortcut recipe to a sourdough mouthful in my next post.

Poetry for June

I used to love writing poetry, but lost the habit in adulthood. I have decided to write a poem for each month. So far, I’ve been inspired for May and June. I hope this month’s poem reminds you of the salty ocean and sun-kissed travels that we all crave right now.

xo